The Best Ways to Save in April

Most of us equate the month of April with taxes, bad jokes and rain showers. But it’s not all unpleasant. April brings the promise of good weather and summertime, so it’s time to start planning accordingly. Get ready for the good things to come and score these great deals.

National Parks: Now that the weather is getting nice, it’s a great time to visit the National Parks. They’re offering free entrance April 22-26 in honor of National Parks Week. Fun fact—265 of the 398 national parks never charge an entrance fee. For the rest, it ranges from $3-$25 but you’ll get in absolutely free during those dates.

Prom Apparel: Prom season kicks off this month and there are ways to save on everything dance-related. Gather a crew and ask for a group discount at the tuxedo rental shop. Order boutonnieres and corsages from your grocery store’s floral department. And girls can get hair, makeup and manicures done at a cosmetology school for a major discount.

Summer Camps: If you haven’t done it already, book summer camps now! Check the American Camp Association for a list of accredited camps. You can narrow your search by a number of options including the maximum amount you would like to spend.

Camp Backup Plan: Popular camps may already be full.Call the camp director and ask which sessions have the shortest wait list and sign up. If you’re okay with last minute plans, call at the end of the first day of camp to see if there were any no-shows or drops. You may also want to look into daycare. Some offer a day camp-like agenda during summertime.

Summer Vacations: Now that camp is booked, it’s time to plan a vacation the whole family can enjoy. This summer, airfare will be as much as double when you fly on a weekend as opposed to flying midweek on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Check out the Savings Club for local dining and entertainment offers at your vacation destination.

Final tip: Finally, spring produce is hitting grocery store shelves and farmer’s markets are hitting the streets. That means you get great quality and prices on all your spring favorites like artichokes, asparagus, pineapples and strawberries.